Auralic Altair G1 - A Surprisingly Capable Affordable Streaming DAC Preamplifier
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- The guys discuss AURALiC's Altair G1, and reckon it's a neat 'affordable audiophile' streaming DAC preamp that's hard not to like. Yet the competition is fierce at this price point...
What will Naim fan Mike think of this new interloper? David certainly likes its slick build and slinky operation, reminiscent of Japanese high end exotica.
Each episode of Hi-Fi Riff features the guys' unedited, unexpurgated views about all manner of weird and wonderful hi-fi designs. Mike has a wealth of knowledge from his hi-fi retail years, and David has written about hi-fi for thirty years. Now Editor-in-Chief of StereoNET, he's picked up a few things along the way.
So brew up a cuppa or crack open a can, and relax and enjoy some one-take hi-fi riffing - and please leave your comments below. Oh, and don’t forget to hit the Subscribe button, this one goes up to eleven!
The eighties-tastic title tune is called ‘UFO/Mike’s Jumper’, and used with the express permission of our old pal and rights holder Simon Lythe.
To read David's StereoNET review of the Altair G1, click here: www.stereonet.com/uk/reviews/auralic-altair-g1-streaming-dac-preamplifier-review
Great review guys. Lack of hyperbole and abundance of wit makes it always good viewing. Cheers from Aus.
Thanks mate! If you're in Victoria, then do try to get over to StereoNET's Melbourne Hi-Fi Show. I was there in 2019, and had a great time.
Well done for keeping that heavy box on your lap for the whole review ;-) good to see the real unit! I have the Auralic Vega G1 and highly recommend it - Auralic make great stuff.
Credit where credit's due - not many reviewers can twiddle an Auralic around and speak at the same time!
Great vid, loving your work!
Great review again Gentlemen.
Mike made a sneaky reference to the Sony 730ES tuner toward the end. After selling my Linn tuner many years ago, I sorely miss good sounding fm broadcasts. Does the Sony hold up to the Linn company do you think?
Brendan, the Sony 730 is a great "bang for your buck" tuner and seem super reliable too.
The Naim Nat's are the ones to aspire too, but they really hold their second hand value.
David has a 770es, which he really rates, so this would have to be my recommendation too (don't tell him though!).
Mike
Interestingly enough, a top notch preamp like Naim 552 or audio research is hard to ditch…
If thats your situation, just use fixed output into your pre?
Love this so much, I bought it! Cant say I'm dissapointed at all....
I have one of these on the way, and will be comparing against a Denafrips Pontus II, a Matrix Element I and (a slightly different league) CAD 1543 mk2. I'll have a few words to say on how I feel about this DAC in my system. I'm hoping it strikes a sonic balance between the Pontus and the Matrix.
Wow 9.0 for both this and Linn Kdsm Organik. Price aside, which one sounds better？ thanks
Without a doubt, the Linn.
All our ratings are "for the money", so obviously the Linn is far more expensive, and you'd expect better sound.
The Auralic is there or thereabouts in terms of being the best sounding at its price point. It's fantastic value considering what it does sub £2.5k.
@@MrVinylista thanks a lot David
Thanks guys, nice to find you! Biggest issue with auralic is that their excellent software is ios only, so more than half of users need not apply... Unless they are roon ready, in which case we dont really care eh?
I was happy with my Naim atom, I really was, but i recently added a Naim NAP 250DR power amp and was completely blown away by the huge step up this has made. Now Im not using the amp in the Atom, im looking at this G1 and I think im going to improve my sound by stepping up to this. Its the G2 I want of course, but untill I can save for that, Im likely to be happy here.
Newly subbed, Ill look forward to your next video...